N.B. artists race to complete 24-page comic books in 24 hours

FREDERICTON - It was an exercise in discipline and creativity, but for the local comic book artists participating in this year's 24-Hour Comics Day, it was more about reconnecting with a timeless art form.
The event, known as 24-Hour Comics Day, is an annual challenge for cartoonists from around the world to create a 24-page comic book from scratch in 24 hours.
In New Brunswick, the event ran from 2 p.m. Saturday to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Delta Fredericton Hotel.
Co-organizer Mike Campbell said that despite some tense clock-watching, each of the 15 participants managed to beat the deadline.
He said the event is a fun way for artists and enthusiasts to test their limits under pressure.
''We had what I consider our best turnout yet,'' said Campbell.
''This year, we had a lot of people finish their 24 pages early, which has honestly never happened before; usually it's right down to the wire, but I guess people were on their game this year.''
Campbell said he's pleased with how much the event has grown since signing on in 2005.
''We fully expect the event to be even larger next year,'' he said.
He said returning participants have developed some savvy methods for saving time.
''For the story that I worked on, there were a few pages that were just completely black with an alarm clock being the only image that you can see,'' said Campbell.
''It's almost like a puzzle, rather than creating something that's Pulitzer prize-winning. It's more about meeting the challenge of getting those 24 pages done on time.''
Monique MacNaughton, who has been illustrating comic books for almost 20 years, said this was her second year involved with 24-Hour Comics Day.
''The main thing that I love about this art form is that you can fill in with pictures what you can't with words,'' she said.